I don’t think bottom of the 8th is the right cross reference, being in the ‘red zone’ means like being in the scoring zone. I think the baseball equivalent would be like a leadoff double maybe, or runner on third, no outs.

Or we could just say the deal is all but done.

Paul Swydan

3:10

These are better suggestions, yes.

Andy

3:10

RedSox in trouble?! But they have Joe Kelly!

Paul Swydan

3:10

He has great stuff!

CamdenWarehouse

3:10

The Red Sox need to respond by getting Machado

Paul Swydan

3:10

Why would that be the appropriate response? They're finally all set at third base!

Tim

3:11

Darvish to Dodgers now that Gray has been shipped?

Paul Swydan

3:11

I still don't see why the Dodgers need Darvish.

Blue Jays

3:11

I love watching the poll results move as people vote....

Paul Swydan

3:11

Me too!

Sterling Mallory Chris Archer

3:11

I think the trade is a win-win. A's get cost controlled highly ranked players, Yanks get a cost controlled starter for the next two years. Both teams are happy, I'm happy, love you too Paul!

Paul Swydan

3:11

Everyone's happy. Except Red Sox and Rays fans, I guess.

Josiah

3:11

Is Gray a bigger name than he is a talent at this point?

Paul Swydan

3:12

I think Billy Beane did a very good job marketing his most marketable player, if that's what you're getting at.

Dylan

3:12

So why did the cubs have to give up the #5 prospect (Eloy) to land Quintana when the Yankees get away with giving up 3 less heralded prospects?

Paul Swydan

3:12

Because people constantly underestimate how good Brian Cashman is at his job?

3:12

No, wait, that's not right.

3:12

Well, maybe it is.

3:12

I think the Cubs have shown they will just cut to the chase to get the guy they want.

3:13

These days, that sort of strategy tends to stick out.

HeeHaw

3:13

I work in marketing analytics. I have a degree and economics and 4 years of experience utilizing statistical techniques a couple programming languages. What are the odds of someone who hasn't worked a day in his life for baseball operations to get a job without industry connections. I imagine it's worse than my odds to actually make a major league roster.

Paul Swydan

3:13

These days, a lot better than it used to be. If you can show that you can show that you have programming skills and are willing to work for what MLB teams pay, you have a decent shot even without connections.

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

3:14

Yankees get int'l money in the Gray deal as well.

Paul Swydan

3:14

Yanks making sure they have the money to buy prospects for the future.

3:14

Because Brian Cashman is very good at his job.

Phil

3:14

Yankees are getting $1.5M million in international bonus pool money. I am not familiar with this pool; does each team have a limit?

Paul Swydan

3:14

Yes.

Joe

3:14

So a dude who just had had his knee explode from under him, a dude who just got Tommy John surgery, and a SS that was blocked by Gleyber Torres for 2.5 years of Sonny Gray. What a steal.

Paul Swydan

3:15

Well, Mateo is still very good. He is rocking a 147 wRC+ in Double-A as a 22-year-old. That's a pretty damn good player.

xmx

3:15

+1 For Archer, Paul

Gus

3:15

Archer👌

Uncle Rico

3:15

Dealer Dave Swoop in Darvish last minute? Groome and Chavis get it done?

Paul Swydan

3:16

Gag. That'd be way too much for 2-3 months of Darvish.

LegallyEagle

3:16

Has Fangraphs considered video (not just audio) content?

Paul Swydan

3:17

I have tried to get video started in the past. It just hasn't come together. Not only is it tough to find people who are adept at both creating professional videos AND FanGraphs speak, but we are also hamstrung by the fact that we can't legally show highlight clips. Third, creating video is expensive and we're not going to fire our writers just to create video content. Finally, the demand being there is likely questionable.

Steph Nuggs

3:17

Red Sox not poised to win now or later? Are you that down on the offense?

Paul Swydan

3:18

I don't think the offense is *this* bad, but I can't see how the Sox beat the Astros in a 7-game series, and I think the Yankees probably have an edge in a best of 7 now as well.

3:18

Obviously anything can happen in October, but it seems to me that Boston's stock has dropped in the last week or so.

Rex Manning Day

3:18

Gray trade seems pretty even to me. Fowler and Mateo are both somewhat blocked, and trading a high-A pitcher for a starter now seems pretty reasonable. Good return for A's, but not too painful to pay for NYY